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1940 - 2022

BORN

1940

DIED

2022

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University of California| Berkeley

Thomas Drain Obituary

Thomas Drain
September 19, 1940 - August 15, 2022

Thomas A Drain, teacher, architect, gardener, musician and artist died peacefully Monday, August 15th at his home after being treated for cancer. He was 81
Tom had a remarkable career as a teacher & architect, but it was art that sustained and inspired him through the years. A gifted painter, he was commissioned to design and paint the altarpiece for St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Tucson. He published articles and translations on sacred art and architecture including "A Sense of Mission," an award-winning book about the mission churches of the U.S. Southwest. Tom was known to carry a sketchbook wherever he went. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was a long-time resident of San Francisco. He had a graduate degree in theology from the University of Toronto, was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and had a Master's Degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley. Tom taught drama, Latin, Greek, and English at Lowell High SchoolTom was predeceased by his brother Michael Drain. He leaves behind his husband and partner of 38 years, Roy Loessin. He also leaves his sisters Mimi (Paul) LaCamera and Margaret Drain of Boston, his sister in law, Carol Drain of Cincinnati, three nephews and two nieces and their families. His many friends across the globe will miss his as well.
A memorial service in Boston is planned for the fall.
He was good company.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 19, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Drain

23 Entries

Marty Ball

July 27, 2025

I met Tom taking tickets at the door of clubs where the Distractions, a glorious Scrmbley Koldewyn a capella octet, was performing He was always with Jim Austin. I thought they were a couple but no. jim and I were together eleven years and the first several of those years, Tom, Jim and I were constant companions. We ate dinner together most nights, with Tom´s culinary artistry. He could take a few sad vegetables and make them yummy.and gorgeous on the plate.
He taught me so much. Every time I cleaned a paintbrush over the years, i thought of him and gave thanks for the knowing of him. What a remarkable man. I loved and respected him enormously. I wish I could have met Roy. I several years ago, I tried to lure him up my neighborhood in Lake County. There was a cute little 1940s house with a handmade 5-car garage out back. The first time I saw this building, i believed it was made for Tom. All-redwood., it was exquisite but too far from San Francisco. Tom couldn´t possibly live in that magical little flat on California He could find and do anything, especially with egg whites, in that tiny kitchen.
His doodles, notes, sketches, little jewels of thought, practice and wit. We called them Drain Droppings and I have saved and cherished many of them.
I send my love to everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

May Choi

August 13, 2023

I will never forget Tom´s humanity, his passion and vast knowledge of music, the arts, history, languages and architecture. Above all, he was one of the most wonderful and generous colleagues I´ve had the privilege of working with at Lowell. I miss you, Tom Drain!

May Choi

Patricia Hsuan

August 13, 2023

Tom you will never be forgotten, I think of you often, you have inspired me to be a better art and architecture teacher. Sometimes I can even hear your voice coaching me. You will always be in my thoughts. I know you are an angle watching over us now. Love always Patty

Patricia Hsuan

February 12, 2023

Tom was my mentor when I was student teaching at Lowell high school, SF. I was talking to an old friend today and we talked about Tom and how kind he was to us. And I was wondering how is he doing. When I found this page online today, my heart sunk, Tom had helped me through a difficult time while I was in the teaching program both professionally and personally, I never forget the wise life advises that he gave me. He is always so gentle and sweet and full of knowledge in everything...The world just lost a wonderful man....I lost touch with him after he moved away from SF. I wish I had kept in touch. My condolences to Tom's family and loved ones, it must be heart breaking to loose such a wonderful soul on earth. But I know that he is an angel now and I will always cherish all the fond memories that I had of Tom. RIP, Tom, you are a real angel now.

Rosemary and Steve

Planted Trees

Martha de Bethune Ginty

October 28, 2022

I am so very sorry to hear about Tom's death. He was the life and soul of my family's home in Newport RI where he worked with my aunt, Ade Bethune. He added joy and great fun to the comings and goings at St. Leo Shop. We all learned so much from Tom. I am forever grateful to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Tom

Agnes de Bethune

October 19, 2022

Tom was the guy who taught me about the world outside my family. I remember him in the studio of the St. Leo Shop in Newport RI. He had just been to the Folk Festival and regaled us with tales of high adventure and famous performers. I was still in the grips of parochial school at the beginning of adolescence and Tom was a far more romantic figure than the usual apprentices. We exchanged Christmas greetings sporadically over the years. I was in touch with him fairly recently when my brother came back from Russia with orthodox iconography that we shared with Tom. For everything there is a season, and I am sad that Tom's has come.

LauHungLan

Planted Trees

Lia Smith

September 23, 2022

I am so very saddened at this news and I send my heartfelt condolences to Roy and all of Tom's family. Tom was a loving presence for our family when he came to live with us for a time in the 1970s, holding Russian Orthodox Sunday Mass in our living room. My seven siblings and I ranged from ten years of age on down and he was our good friend. My best adult memories of him are the several dinners we shared with him and Roy and all the times he recommended an art show or gave a must-read book to me. And this one: meeting Tom and Roy at the Castro theater. This was in 1985 and Tom walked right up to me and thrust a copy of Ms. Magazine into my hands. "I'm not sure what Marilyn Monroe would be like if she were alive today, but what really shines in this issue is your story." Tom celebrated every day, and celebrated me. He will remain in my mind and heart.

Mr. Kim Hoffman, Ms. Wendy Warrington

September 21, 2022

Dear Roy, Ours hearts go out to you. Tom will be missed very much. We enjoyed our time with you and Tom, as our neighbors and friends. Love, Kim & Wendy

Gracia Mui - Lowell Class of 1998

September 11, 2022

Mr. Drain was my Latin teacher. Like others have said, he was a phenomenal teacher who instilled in me a love of the classics. He somehow made Latin grammar fun. I don't remember many teachers from high school, but Mr. Drain was a bright star. He has undoubtedly inspired many students. His Latin class helped me do well in the SATs (as planned) and learn medicine a lot easier. I owe my academic success to Mr. Drain's inspiring teaching who helped me love to learn. He will be missed.

Joe Suh

August 30, 2022

Mr. Drain taught my Freshman English class at Lowell High School in the Fall of 1992.

He showed me how to use action verbs to breathe life into my passive writing. I learned how certain words jump out of the paper. He crossed out my big fancy words that I thought sounded impressive and opened my eyes to see how simpler language tells a clearer story.

He taught me to vary the length of sentences. Some were short. Others completed the thought with a few more words. And some sentences needed a broad brush to fully paint the picture, but only after it captured the reader's attention with the prior shorter strokes.

He transformed my writing. But more importantly he transformed how I thought about writing. And I gratefully write this 30 years later reflecting on his impact.

Thank you Mr Drain.

Betsy De Fries

August 30, 2022

Oh Tom, I am so very sorry to see you go.

Dear Roy,
I wish you and all your families long and happy lives.
With deep affection,
~ Betsy De Fries

Dominique Bremond

August 29, 2022

What an extraordinary life and so many accomplishments. Thomas created a full life for himself so he could use his many talents. He will be missed, but his memory will always be present.

Dandan

August 29, 2022

I´m a former student from Lowell, and will always remember Mr. Drain for his lessons in Latin and drama. My Latin is spotty, except for the jokes he shared: an alternative pronunciation of "fidem scit" and Homer Simpson´s favorite food was the founder of Latin grammar (Donatus). He was special, and more talented than I knew. I am grateful to be educated by him. Be well.

Mick Del Rosario

August 29, 2022

Thank you, Mr. Drain for all that he taught me in Drama class. I learned a lot about acting from him and am appreciative of his kindness and knowledge of theatre and the arts. He will be missed dearly.

Cheryl D

August 28, 2022

Thank you Mr. Drain for the wonderful Drama class. Easily one of my favorite classes at Lowell. Condolences to your husband and family.

Sean Finerty

August 28, 2022

So sorry to hear of Mr. Drains passing. I was a student of his at Lowell for both Drama and Shakespeare. He was such an inspiration, and I was astounded at how much he knew about theater, literature, languages, and everything else. I was so lucky to be one of his students and will always remember him fondly. He pushed me to try things out of my comfort zone. My thoughts and sympathy to his family and loved ones. Please know how much of an impact he had on me and many other students of his.

May Choi

August 28, 2022

I am deeply saddened to hear of Tom´s passing. Someone so special can never be forgotten. I have many fond memories of Tom. His vast knowledge of the arts, Latin, religion, English language and world history never seizes to amaze me . I learned much from Tom, especially about the church missions. We shared many moments of laughter and ideas while working at Lowell High School. I will always keep Tom in my heart. With deepest condolences to Roy and the Drain family. I wish you peace.

Sarah Tannehill

August 22, 2022

Nearly speechless, Roy and family, but very sorry for the loss of your love. So much of the richness and beauty of my misspent youth is fed by the memories of the years we lived with him. An extraordinary soul, who once told me (when he was heading back to school for architecture), "You know, Sarah, I´ve done a lot of different things, but no matter what I´ve done, I´ve always been an artist."

Creative joy just rolled off of him, touching everyone in its path. We had moments of epic hilarity, but there were also SO many times when Tom taught me about painting with egg tempera or living on Mt. Athos, or countless other things, that felt like dropping into something ancient, deep, and precious. I knew it was a blessing to be around him, and I will miss his presence, but I know he is being celebrated in grace and glory. Godspeed, Tom! You truly were good company.

Charlie Blank

August 21, 2022

Knew Tom from Westwood and St Catherine's and St X High School. Tom was outgoing, friendly and a good musician. Please accept our Sympathy at his passing.

Sarah McGrath

August 21, 2022

So sorry for your loss, Roy. What an intelligent and multi-talented man. The world is a little dimmer but the heavens brightened, I believe!

john burke

August 20, 2022

Very sorry to learn of Tom's death. He was good company indeed, an absorbing commenter on the world, with a rich fund of extraordinary experience to draw on. Sympathy from Peggy and me.

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